I'd take the 12 because you can control the recoil by the load you shoot. I had a Mossberg 875(?) 3-1/2" mag for goose hunting and that was the worst kicking gun I've ever shot. And I've shot a .375 H&H mag Ruger #1. I can shoot my .300 Win mag all day. I got rid of it. I should have kept it and just dropped down to 3" mag shells. 12 gauge trap loads don't kick at all.